Global safety science company UL Solutions has announced significant enhancements to the testing methods for battery energy storage systems (BESS) as a result of the collaboration with the energy storage industry, regulatory authorities, and others serving on the standard’s technical committee.
The new testing methods reflect the evolution of battery technology by including test methods for non-lithium-ion battery chemistries like sodium-ion, while continuing to address fire safety and risk mitigation.
The changes in UL Solutions test methods can be found in the fifth edition of ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A, the Standard Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems, the American and Canadian national standard for addressing thermal runaway propagation for energy storage systems.
ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A outlines a standardized test method for determining a battery technology’s susceptibility to thermal runaway, a chemical reaction in which a battery’s temperature and pressure increases rapidly, leading to a potential fire and explosions. It also evaluates fire and explosion hazards due to thermal runaway, including the ejection of hot particles.
After testing, a report provides data that is used to determine the necessary fire and explosion protection needed for tested BESS installations. This testing method’s data helps bolster practical and effective safety measures within the industry. It is also used for demonstrating compliance with codes and installation standards that address public and first responder safety and property protection, including NFPA 855, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems, and fire codes, including the International Fire Code®, the International Residential Code® and NFPA 1, Fire Code.
“We are committed to working with industry to bring safer products to market and empower the safe and sustainable growth of the energy storage market,” said Wesley Kwok, vice president and general manager of the Energy and Industrial Automation group at UL Solutions, in a statement. “These collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders and the fire safety community ultimately enhance the resilience of our energy infrastructure and protect communities worldwide.”
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